As a tennis icon, Venus Williams has been serving aces on the court for decades. Tonight, though, she serves a few off the court as a co-chair of the Met Gala 2026, alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Wintour.
“Co-chairing the Met Gala has been such an incredible honour, and honestly, a moment I’m still trying to fully take in,” Williams tells Vogue on the morning of the event. “When I got the call, I could hardly believe it. Fashion has always been a huge part of how I express myself, both on and off the court, so being part of an event that celebrates the intersection of art, culture, and identity feels really full circle for me.”
That’s not the only reason this is a special night for Williams. While she made her Met Gala debut in 2008 and has been a regular guest in recent years, tonight is her first time attending the Met Gala red carpet with her husband – the actor, producer, and model Andrea Preti – whom she married last year.
For the occasion, Williams is wearing a Swarovski crystal mesh gown inspired by Robert Pruitt’s Venus Williams, Double Portrait (2022), a portrait of her commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery. Styled by Ron Burton, she completes her sparkling Swarovski dress and jewellery with makeup by Karina Milan, hair by Jawara, and nails by Gina Edwards. Her necklace, meanwhile, is a re-creation of the Wimbledon-plate-inspired necklace seen in the painting, incorporating symbols of her family and career along with nods to the historic fight for equal pay in tennis and to the sport’s early Black champions.
“It reflects not just my journey but the legacy of those who came before me – especially pioneers like Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, who paved the way,” she says. “It felt like a personal way to connect with ‘Costume Art’ – using fashion to tell a story about legacy and progress and honouring those who made it possible.”
Reflecting on what it felt like to attend her first Met Gala almost 20 years ago, Williams says: “Walking up the steps for my first Met Gala was all so exciting and overwhelming in the best way. I was in my early 20s, and I remember being struck by the scale of The Met. And attending alongside André Leon Talley – there was no better partner. I’ve always loved art, and I’ve been fortunate enough to build my own collection over the years, so The Met, and especially the Met Gala, is a really special place where I get to see my love for both fashion and art come together in such a celebratory and special way.”
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